breaking news: Pat Cummins believes Sunrisers Hyderabad will win the IPL championship.

Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins will need an impressive turnaround to clinch another major title on Sunday, as the Sunrisers Hyderabad face off against the Kolkata Knight Riders. This clash comes only five days after a significant defeat. Hyderabad reached the IPL final by defeating Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs, despite an earlier eight-wicket loss to Kolkata in the playoffs.

Hyderabad, under the captaincy of Cummins, who was bought for $2.5 million, has had a strong tournament. Cummins, known for his humility and strategic thinking, led Australia to both the Test championship and ODI World Cup last year. Hyderabad’s assistant coach Simon Helmot praised Cummins for his practical and empathetic approach, emphasizing his efficient use of team meetings.

Hyderabad set record IPL totals of 277 and 287, with Cummins’ leadership playing a crucial role in their success. However, they face a challenge from Kolkata’s Mitchell Starc, the most expensive player in IPL history at $2.98 million, who previously dismantled Hyderabad’s top order.

Kolkata, led by Shreyas Iyer, topped the league with 20 points and have been dominant throughout the season. With Gautam Gambhir as their mentor and strong performances from players like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, Kolkata remains the team to beat. Narine has scored 482 runs, while Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana have taken 37 wickets combined.

Hyderabad’s opening pair, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, pose a threat with their powerful starts. Head has amassed 567 runs, and Sharma, with a strike-rate over 207, is considered a rising star.

As both teams prepare for the final, the anticipation builds for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.